In Private Pilot training the first progress check comes before your first solo. By this time you typically have been flying with just one instructor for the last 8-10 hours and it’s time for another instructor to objectively evaluate your skills. This is for your benefit and also is quality control for your primary instructor.
In this first check, the Check Airman as they are sometimes called, are looking to see that all the basic procedures are being followed, that you operate the aircraft in a safe and competent manner, you are able to land and takeoff consistently, and should an emergency arise you are able to react as your are taught.
From day one your instructor is teaching you to operate the aircraft within what is officially called Airmen Certification Standards. This is a set standards that you must be able to operate the aircraft within during your Checkride (or final flight test). For example, when demonstrating Straight and Level flight the Airman must maintain plus or minus 100 feet of altitude, plus or minus 10 knots of airspeed, and plus or minus 10 degrees of heading (flying an assigned direction of flight).
The Check Airman knows that you have a low amount of experience, they just want to see that, in general, you will be able to handle the normal things and maybe a few of the usual curveballs that might occur. All while adhering to the ACS for each specific maneuver. By the time you reach your final checkride you will have been flying to ACS for almost all of your training.
There is usually another stage check before you fly your first solo cross country flight and then one more right before you take your final flight test. Depending on your flight school there may be more progress checks, especially if you happen to struggle at a certain point. But not to fear, everyone has a setback or two, or was as it is sometimes referred to as a “training plateau”.
As for my progress check, I practiced every maneuver I’ve been doing since day one. The new instructor for the flight simplified a lot of what I learned from my usual instructor and honestly I like the way the checkride taught me things and reassured me the whole way.
Between maneuvers he gave me a small break and flew to the next setup area altitude. I performed the maneuvers well-enough that he canceled them early and said let’s go work on landings. This is something you always like to see, that means you are doing well.
One of the aspects you are evaluated on is how you manage distractions. Can you divide your attention and prioritize what is most important when new information or situations come onto the flight deck. Remember “Aviation, Navigate, Communicate”? That is your checklist for distractions.
The Check Airman asked me to show him a few things in and around the airplane (I know the 6 pack pretty well which is the way the instruments are arranged on the instrument panel). then he said I get one comfort landing then the rest are being graded.
I ended up doing five landings, not three because the winds kicked up. I passed the check ride with stronger winds than I’ve had with my instructor, which shows being able to handle new situations by applying my training thus far.
Overall he felt I’m a safe pilot which is what matters which is what evaluation flight is about, Is this person safe? Would I be comfortable signing him off to fly by himself? We will find out on Monday, the day I solo!